Single lesson
The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation
Sirach 38:24–39:11
This wisdom passage contrasts necessary manual labour with the scribe’s work of study and prayer. It honours both, while explaining why the scribe has a different task and public role.
Before you teach
Sirach 38:24–39:11 is wisdom teaching in the Catholic additional books. The passage first describes farmers and artisans whose work fills their time and supports city life. It then turns to the scribe, whose leisure is used for the law, prayer, understanding, and instruction.
Explain the central teaching of The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation, using two details from the reading. This passage values skilled work that sustains life and distinguishes the scribe’s vocation as study, prayer, and teaching under the Lord’s will.
Welcome: The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation
5 minIntroduce “The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation” and locate Sirach 38:24–39:11. This passage values skilled work that sustains life and distinguishes the scribe’s vocation as study, prayer, and teaching under the Lord’s will. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 38:24, Sirach 39:1, Sirach 39:11
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe opening claim is direct: the scribe’s wisdom comes through leisure. The farmer’s attention is on ploughing, oxen, furrows, and fodder. The contrast is about time and focus. Work that must be done leaves little room for the kind of reflection this passage links with scribal wisdom.
Sirach states plainly that these artisans will not be sought in the people’s council, sit on the judge’s seat, understand the covenant of judgment, or be found where parables are. Even so, they maintain the fabric of the age, and their prayer is in the handiwork of their craft.
By contrast, the scribe meditates on the law, sayings, proverbs, and parables, and rises to pray for pardon. If the great Lord wills, he is filled with understanding and teaches what he has learned. Many commend his understanding, and if he continues, his name endures.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 38:24, Sirach 38:25, Sirach 38:26, Sirach 38:33, Sirach 38:34, Sirach 39:1, Sirach 39:2, Sirach 39:3, Sirach 39:5, Sirach 39:6, Sirach 39:8, Sirach 39:9, Sirach 39:11
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “Why does the passage say the scribe can become wise?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage values skilled work that sustains life and distinguishes the scribe’s vocation as study, prayer, and teaching under the Lord’s will. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 38:24, Sirach 38:25, Sirach 38:26, Sirach 38:31, Sirach 38:32, Sirach 38:34, Sirach 39:1, Sirach 39:5, Sirach 39:6
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 38:24, Sirach 39:1, Sirach 39:11
Closing: return to The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation
3 minRevisit Sirach 38:24–39:11. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 38:24, Sirach 39:1, Sirach 39:11
Questions to explore
Why does the passage say the scribe can become wise?
Start with the line about leisure, then compare it with the farmer whose time is taken up by necessary labour.
Sirach 38:24, Sirach 38:25, Sirach 38:26
What strong value does Sirach place on artisans, even while giving them a different role?
Look for what the city owes to them and how their craft is described at the end of chapter 38.
Sirach 38:31, Sirach 38:32, Sirach 38:34
How does the passage connect the scribe’s learning with prayer and the Lord’s will?
Notice that the scribe studies and prays, but understanding is given only if the great Lord wills.
Sirach 39:1, Sirach 39:5, Sirach 39:6
Make, think or respond
The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 38:24–39:11. Use “The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “The artisan’s necessary labor and the learned scribe’s vocation” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 38:24–39:11. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 38:24–39:11. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 38
24 The wisdom of the scribe comes by the opportunity of leisure. He who has little business can become wise.
25 How could he become wise who holds the plow, who glories in the shaft of the goad, who drives oxen and is occupied in their labors, and who mostly talks about bulls?
26 He will set his heart upon turning his furrows. His lack of sleep is to give his heifers their fodder.
27 So is every craftsman and master artisan who passes his time by night as by day, those who cut engravings of signets. His diligence is to make great variety. He sets his heart to preserve likeness in his portraiture, and is careful to finish his work.
28 So too is the smith sitting by the anvil and considering the unwrought iron. The smoke of the fire will waste his flesh. He toils in the heat of the furnace. The noise of the hammer deafens his ear. His eyes are upon the pattern of the object. He will set his heart upon perfecting his works. He will be careful to adorn them perfectly.
29 So is the potter sitting at his work and turning the wheel around with his feet, who is always anxiously set at his work. He produces his handiwork in quantity.
30 He will fashion the clay with his arm and will bend its strength in front of his feet. He will apply his heart to finish the glazing. He will be careful to clean the kiln.
31 All these put their trust in their hands. Each becomes skillful in his own work.
32 Without these no city would be inhabited. Men wouldn’t reside as foreigners or walk up and down there.
33 They won’t be sought for in the council of the people. They won’t mount on high in the assembly. They won’t sit on the seat of the judge. They won’t understand the covenant of judgment. Neither will they declare instruction and judgment. They won’t be found where parables are.
34 But they will maintain the fabric of the age. Their prayer is in the handiwork of their craft.
Sirach 39
1 Not so he who has applied his soul and meditates in the law of the Most High. He will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients and will be occupied with prophecies.
2 He will keep the sayings of the men of renown and will enter in amidst the subtleties of parables.
3 He will seek out the hidden meaning of proverbs and be conversant in the dark sayings of parables.
4 He will serve among great men and appear before him who rules. He will travel through the land of foreign nations, for he has learned what is good and evil among men.
5 He will apply his heart to return early to the Lord who made him, and will make supplication before the Most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and will ask for pardon for his sins.
6 If the great Lord wills, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth the words of his wisdom and in prayer give thanks to the Lord.
7 He will direct his counsel and knowledge, and he will meditate in his secrets.
8 He will show the instruction which he has been taught and will glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
9 Many will commend his understanding. So long as the world endures, it won’t be blotted out. His memory won’t depart. His name will live from generation to generation.
10 Nations will declare his wisdom. The congregation will proclaim his praise.
11 If he continues, he will leave a greater name than a thousand. If he finally rests, it is enough for him.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.